EPA-1253 – Socio-demographic and Clinical Profile of Immigrant and Non-Immigrant Young Patients with First Episode Schizophrenia

Abstract

Introduction:

The influence of socio-demographic characteristics, namely immigration, on the risk to develop schizophrenia is well known. However, the impact of these variables on its initial clinical presentation and long-term prognosis is less well established.

Objectives/Aims:

To compare socio-demographic characteristics, the clinical presentation of schizophrenia and other variables known to influence prognosis in immigrant and non-immigrant young patients (social performance, quality of life, psychopathology, therapeutic adherence, insight and premorbid adjustment).

Methods:

A group of consecutive patients diagnosed with schizophrenia (ICD-10), aged 18 to 25, followed in our department's community-based early intervention in psychosis program were assessed using: ACECF short version for cognition, PANNS, WHOQOL short version for quality of life, ITAQ for insight, MARS for medication adherence, and PAS for pre-morbid adjustment. Information was also gathered on the following variables: gender, age, civil status, level of education, number of readmissions, and medication. The two groups (immigrants and non-immigrants) will be compared with the adequate statistical analysis.

Results:

Preliminary results demonstrated that the immigrant group showed significantly lower levels of attention and concentration, of medication adherence, and of risk of aggression compared to the non-migrant group. The two groups did not differ in any of the remaining variables studied. We are still waiting final results.

Conclusions:

The results will contribute to a better understanding about the influence of the immigration status on the clinical picture of schizophrenia, and allow for the development of more comprehensive rehabilitative treatments.